The Breguet range equation indicates that to the first order of approximation range will be maximized by maximizing ML/D, where M is the Mach number and L/D is the lift/drag ratio. Since the drag coefficient increases very rapidly as the Mach number approaches one, this leads to the design of a long range aircraft which fly at high subsonic speeds, typically in the range Mach 0.8 to 0.85, just ...
